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DS fell in the pool tonight

MaebbMaebb member
in Parenting
I was about 4 feet behind him, DS knelt down to splash his hand in the water, and he fell in the pool. I kind of panicked, but he kicked his feet and didn't go too far under, and I grabbed him out within about 3 seconds.

DH was furious at me because I shouldn't have let him fall in the pool. I know DH sometimes lets him walk around the pool without being right beside him, so I feel like it could have happened to him just as easily.

DS is fine but maybe a little more scared of the water now. I will be staying closer to him next time.
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Re: DS fell in the pool tonight

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  • msdrdgmsdrdg member
    That happened to DS and I when we were staying at a hotel for Easter.  I was taking off my shoes and I told DS he could sit on the steps.  He just walked on down all the stairs and didn't know that the water was going to go over his head when he got to the bottom step.  He managed to kick and thrash his way to the surface just as I got to him.  I was terrified but so proud of him that he managed to save himself. 

    Glad your DS is ok.
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  • MaebbMaebb member
    I think DH has ongoing (probably justified) frustration with me because I'm on my phone a lot and not "in the moment" with DS. But at that moment, I was watching him; I was just a few steps back, and it took me a second to react.

    In general, I'm a relaxed parent and maybe not on hyper-alert all the time as much as DH, and that frustrates him.

    Also he has been working really hard to get DS comfortable with the water, and he doesn't want him to be afraid of it now. I personally think that DS should have a healthy respect for the water, so I am ok if he is more cautious around it for a while.

    Obviously I feel bad that this happened and will be more careful and more alert next time.
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  • wino2006wino2006 member
    On the bright side, it may have taught your son to be more cautious around the pool. I think a little bit of fear is a good thing when it comes to safety. Look at it as a teaching moment.
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  • MyMorningCoffeeMyMorningCoffee member
    Wow. That must have been really scary for everyone. I have to admit that I have been pissed about things that happened on DH's watch that could have just as easily happened to me in the moment. I hope he calms down soon and realizes that it could have easily been him. 
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  • MaebbMaebb member
    @wife07mom09‌, we do have a fence around it. We were all in the pool area. DS is 19 months and knows how to kick and blow bubbles but can't swim independently yet.

    That sounds scary about the lake! I'm glad your DS is ok.

    Thanks, everyone. DH hasn't apologized, and I doubt he will, but he isn't acting mad anymore. The reality of it is that DS is fine, and I'm so grateful for that. Hopefully he learned a lesson to be more cautious and I learned a lesson to be right next to him because something can happen in a split second.
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  • kmm2150kmm2150 member
    I used to lifeguard and teach swim lessons to kids and I think falling in the pool, when a parent is right there with no drowning risks, can be a really good lesson, depending on how parents react. So often kids are constantly in arm floaties or life vests and are oblivious to how water really works. Falling in or even just walking and suddenly finding it over their head, can be great, but the reaction has to be that 'we can't breathe underwater but you don't have to be scared, we swim/kick/float on our back/grab the wall, and we always stay with a grown up,' not just freak out terror. Hopefully your husband can move on and help LO move on and use it as a learning experience.
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